$15,000 collected as Marin embraces gun buyback plan

Almost $15,000 has been collected to help finance a gun buyback program next month in Marin.

The donations include $10,000 from the Marin Community Foundation and about $5,000 from private donors, including $250 from San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips, who said the city also will make a contribution to the fund.

The tally of donations made in the past week came as officials also added violent video games to the collection list.

"We've gotten a lot of positive feedback in the community," said District Attorney Ed Berberian, who proposed the program after a deranged gunman murdered 20 children and six teachers at a Connecticut elementary school before killing himself two weeks ago.

"We're moving toward getting our budget in place," Berberian said, adding discussions are under way with several private donors about making key contributions to the growing fund. In addition, county supervisors have pledged to fill buyback budget needs, but have not discussed a specific allocation.

Those wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution may write checks payable to Marin County, with a notation on the memo line indicating "gun buyback" program. Mail should be addressed to: Marin Civic Center; Gun buyback — attention Janice Hughes; District Attorney's Office; 3501 Civic Center Drive; Room 130; San Rafael 94903.

"We've been receiving checks large and small," said Hughes, Berberian's administrative assistant. "We're just thrilled."

Aside from the community foundation's $10,000 grant, the largest donation so far is $1,000.

Berberian said a new wrinkle — the collection of "ultra violent videos" — has been added to the program, scheduled for five Marin locations on Jan. 15, Martin Luther King's birthday. Video games that depict murder and violence "desensitize people to what it means to take a life," he said.

Because officials are wary of providing money that could be used to buy new violent videos, there will be no payment although "if someone brought in 50 of them, we might give them 10 bucks," Berberian said.

As for guns turned in at the event, officials plan to offer $200 for automatic weapons and rifles, and $100 for all other firearms.

Berberian said gun and video collection operations will be set up at sheriff's substations in Marin City and Point Reyes, as well as police headquarters in Novato, San Rafael and Larkspur, with San Anselmo expected to sign up as well.

"We've gotten support from all police jurisdictions in the county," the district attorney said. "Their officers are going to help staff these locations, along with members of the District Attorney's Office," he added.

If the program removes one gun, or one bullet, from involvement in an accident or act of violence, the collection effort will be well worthwhile, the district attorney noted.